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Stats show one Arsenal star could be the difference maker this season

Petr Cech has been a revelation since his signing last summer, and has unquestionably saved us a huge amount of points already. The stats show just how important he’s been, and he’s been a marked improvement on our keepers from last season.

Last season we conceded 18 goals from 46 clear-cut chances created against us, and we dropped a number of points we shouldn’t have. This season we’ve conceded just 25% of clear cut-chances, down significantly on last season’s 39% (via the Metro).

We’ve conceded just four goals from the 17 clear-cut chances this season, which is absolutely superb. We’ve seen the Czech international make some phenomenal point-blank saves, saves that Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina would arguably be incapable of making.

We’ve been excellent going forward this season obviously, with Mesut Özil and Olivier Giroud in particularly fine form. A title winning team needs to be built from the back though, and it’s near impossible for a team to go all the way if they’re leaking goals left, right, and centre.

Cech has made us far more stable, and the team as a whole have looked confident with the 33-year-old behind them. Knowing you’ve got a keeper you can count on between the sticks makes you more self assured, and we can see the impact he’s had since his move from Chelsea.